Storage and dispensing device for mating with a liquid container to allow for mixing of a substance and the liquid

ABSTRACT

The device stores and dispenses a pre-measured quantity of a substance, e.g. powdered flavoring. The device is used in conjunction with another container, e.g. a water bottle, containing a pre-measured quantity of another substance, e.g. a liquid such as water. The device includes a housing having a chamber for storing the substance, and the bottom of the chamber includes a sealed end. A breaking member or disc member is held in the chamber with the substance between the disc member and the sealed end. The disc member includes a top portion and a protruding member depending downward toward the sealed end. As the disc member is pushed downward, the protruding member moves toward the sealed end, and ultimately protrudes down and rips the bottom sealed end of the housing allowing the substance to dispense into the bottle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is based upon and claims priority to copending provisional application No. 60/479,964 filed Jun. 19, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to storage and dispensing devices, and, more particularly, to storing, dispensing and mixing premeasured quantities of a substance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Beverage, food and drug manufacturers produce many different products which need to be or can be mixed with another substance, such as water, before consumption. Such products may include, for example, flavor syrups, powdered baby formula, powdered nutritional drink mix, liquor, suspension antibiotics or any other substance that could be mixed with another substance or liquid such as water, milk, juice or carbonated beverages, for example.

[0004] These products may be sold in bulk or as single servings packaged in cans, bottles, packets or other containers. Also, various containers have been designed for storing one or more of these products to be dispensed into another container such as a water bottle, baby bottle or cup. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,380 to Rothman, entitled “Device for Dispensing Flowable Material” discloses a storage cap having a receiving groove with a large diameter for mating with a number of different size bottle openings. Furthermore, the storage cap has a rupturable membrane which can be ruptured as a bottle neck is urged into the receiving groove.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,179 to Hanson, entitled “Dispensing lid for beverage container” discloses a dispensing lid for the circular upper rim of a drinking cup. Frangible vessels contain condiments and are disposed within the lid. Condiments are released from the vessels when finger pressure is applied thereto.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,314 to Fuller et al., entitled “Unit Dose Package” discloses a unit dose storage cap for storing and dispensing a dose of infant and adult nutritional formulas. The cap has a threaded mouth designed to be fitted onto the wide neck of a infant formula bottle. A foil seal is removed before the storage cap is secured to the bottle. In another embodiment, the dose cap has a water soluble seal which dissolves into the formula bottle.

[0007] One problem with some of the conventional devices is that none provide a reliable seal that can be broken after the device is securely connected to a bottle. Additionally, none of the conventional devices provides a reliable member in the opening of the container for breaking the seal. Without a reliable seal, a reliable member for breaking the seal, and a secure connection between the device and the bottle, the seal may not be properly broken and/or the contents stored in the device may spill and/or be contaminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is directed to a device for storing a pre-measured quantity of a substance, e.g. powdered flavoring. The device is used in conjunction with another container, e.g. a water bottle, containing a pre-measured quantity of another substance, e.g. a liquid such as water.

[0009] The device is preferably a one time use disposable container. The device is made to be filled with a substance such as a powder, tablet or liquid substance, for example. The device mounts onto or in the opening of an existing bottle of water or other beverage. The device includes a housing having a chamber for storing the substance. The bottom of the chamber includes a sealed end, preferably integral with the chamber walls of the housing, i.e. the bottom of the housing. A slit or line of weakness is preferably included in the bottom of the housing. A disc member is held in the chamber with the substance between the disc member and the seal. The disc member includes a top portion which forms an upper seal with the housing.

[0010] The disc member also includes a protruding member depending downward toward the seal. As the disc member is pushed downward, the protruding member moves toward the seal, and ultimately protrudes down and rips the bottom seal of the device allowing the substance in the chamber and the substance in the bottle to mix together.

[0011] Another seal can be a foil like member extending over the bottom of the housing. When the protruding member is pressed downward, the foil rips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the storage device inserted in the opening of another container in accordance with the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the storage device in accordance with the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the disc member of the storage device in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the disc member of the storage device in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the housing of the storage device in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout and prime notations are used in alternate embodiments. The dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated in the figures for greater clarity.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, embodiments of the device will now be described. The device 10 includes a housing 12 having an open end 14 and sealed end 16 at opposite ends of the housing. The sealed end 16 defines a breakable or rupturable seal or inner wall member disposed between the substance contained in the housing 12 and the liquid contained in the other container, such as a bottle, mated thereto. The sealed end 16 may be a thinned wall portion and is preferably formed with a slit or lines of weakness 22 to aid in the breaking or rupturing of the sealed end. The sealed end 16 may also include a membrane made of plastic, foil or any other material which would provide a reliable seal and be capable of opening, breaking or ripping in response to pressure exerted by a protruding member. Such a membrane may also be formed with lines of weakness to aid in the breaking or rupturing of the sealed end 16.

[0019] In this embodiment, the housing 12 is shaped to be inserted and secured in the opening of the other container, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In another embodiment of the device 10′, FIG. 2, the first opening 14 may include an externally threaded portion 15 for mating with a bottle cap, for example. The sealed end 16 may include an internally threaded portion 18 for mating with external threads of a bottle top 20.

[0020] A breaking member or disc member 17 is held in the chamber with the substance between the disc member and the sealed end 16. The disc member 17 includes a top portion which forms an upper seal with the housing 12, and may include one or more ribs or tongues to interact with a groove in the housing, or vice versa, to aid in forming the upper seal. The disc member 17 also includes a protruding member 19 depending downward toward the sealed end 16. As the disc member 17 is pushed downward, the protruding member 19 moves toward the sealed end 16, and ultimately protrudes down and rips the bottom sealed end of the housing 12 allowing the substance in the chamber and the substance in the bottle to mix together. Of course the connected containers may be shaken to aid in the mixing of the substance and the liquid.

[0021] A method aspect of the invention includes dispensing a first substance into a container for mixture with a second substance. The method includes storing the first substance in a housing 12 of a device 10, 10′ having a breakable sealed end 16, and placing a moveable breaking member 17 in an opposite end of the housing. The device 10, 10′ is placed adjacent an opening of the container; and the breaking member 17 is pressed to move the breaking member within the housing 12 and toward the breakable sealed end 16 to break the breakable sealed end and allow mixing of the first and second substances in the container.

[0022] The device/method in accordance with the present invention provides sterile and convenient mixing and storing of pre-measured quantities of a substance and a liquid, thereby avoiding the possibility of spillage, contamination and the production of incorrect mixtures.

[0023] The devices 10 and 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an elongated and cylindrical shaped housing 12. However, other shapes and sizes which provide storage for the desired premeasured quantity of a substance, are also possible. The device is preferably made of plastic, and may be transparent or opaque. The device 10 may be used to store powdered baby formula, diet drink powders, sports drink powders, liquor or any other substance that would conveniently be stored and be ready to mix with another substance or liquid such as water, milk, juice or soda, for example.

[0024] The devices/containers are preferably single serving disposable storage devices but may also be reusable depending on the type of sealed end 16 used. The size, depth and diameter of the devices 10 and 10′ will be based on serving volume requirements. Additionally, various types of safety or tamper resistant devices may be appropriate to secure the disc 17 and housing 12 in an initial position prior to engagement or use with a bottle.

[0025] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A system for separately storing and mixing first and second substances, the system comprising: a container for storing the second substance, the container having an opening; and a device for storing the first substance, the device having a housing having first and second opposite ends, the first end defining a breakable sealed end for sealing the first substance in the housing; and a breaking member moveably carried by the housing inside the second end thereof for breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing when actuated by a user while the device is engaged with the opening of the container to allow mixing of the first and second substances in the container.
 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the breaking member comprises a top portion forming an upper seal with the housing, and a protruding portion extending from the top portion for engaging and breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing.
 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the breakable sealed end comprises an inner housing wall member integrally formed with the housing as a monolithic unit.
 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the inner housing wall member comprises at least one line of weakness.
 5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical housing which removably fits inside the opening of the container.
 6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the cylindrical housing includes a lip for securing the breaking member within the opening of the container.
 7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the container further comprises external threads adjacent the opening; and the housing further comprises a threaded portion for mating with the external threads of the container.
 8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the breaking member is secured within the second end of the housing via a friction fit.
 9. A device for storing a first substance to be mixed with a second substance stored in a container having an opening, the device comprising: a housing having first and second opposite ends, the first end defining a breakable sealed end for sealing the first substance in the housing; and a breaking member moveably carried by the housing inside the second end thereof for breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing when actuated by a user while the device is engaged with the opening of the container to allow mixing of the first and second substances in the container.
 10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the breaking member comprises a top portion forming an upper seal with the housing, and a protruding portion extending from the top portion for engaging and breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing.
 11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the breakable sealed end comprises an inner housing wall member integrally formed with the housing as a monolithic unit.
 12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the inner housing wall member comprises at least one line of weakness.
 13. A device according to claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical housing which removably fits inside the opening of the container.
 14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the cylindrical housing includes a lip for securing the breaking member within the opening of the container.
 15. A device according to claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises a threaded portion for mating with external threads of the container adjacent the opening.
 16. A device according to claim 9, wherein the breaking member is secured within the second end of the housing via a friction fit.
 17. A method of dispensing a first substance into a container for mixture with a second substance, the method comprising: storing the first substance in a housing of a device having a breakable sealed end; placing a moveable breaking member in an opposite end of the housing; placing the device adjacent an opening of the container; and pressing the breaking member to move the breaking member within the housing and toward the breakable sealed end to break the breakable sealed end and allow mixing of the first and second substances in the container.
 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the breaking member comprises a top portion forming an upper seal with the housing, and a protruding portion extending from the top portion for engaging and breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing.
 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the breakable sealed end comprises an inner housing wall member integrally formed with the housing as a monolithic unit.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the inner housing wall member comprises at least one line of weakness.
 21. A method according to claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical housing which removably fits inside the opening of the container.
 22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the cylindrical housing includes a lip for securing the breaking member within the opening of the container.
 23. A method according to claim 17, wherein the housing further comprises a threaded portion for mating with external threads of the container adjacent the opening.
 24. A method according to claim 17, wherein the breaking member is secured within the opposite end of the housing via a friction fit. 